Aside from medication, surgery and physical therapy, massage may be useful in the overall management of arthritis.

Although it is not well-studied for arthritis, many people report significant benefits in terms of pain and relaxation. Many doctors recommend it for their patients, and some even have massage therapists working in their clinics. Although there are many forms of massage, the type most people are familiar with is Swedish massage, a full-body treatment that involves stroking or kneading the top layers of muscles with oils or lotions.

*Unless otherwise noted, information in this section has been excerpted from The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Managing Your Arthritis, by Mary Anne Dunkin, copyright ©2001, Arthritis Foundation. For more information about ways to effectively manage your arthritis , or to purchase a copy of Guide to Managing Your Arthritis, call (800) 283-7800.